Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment (LEBRA) Program – Annual Monitoring 2024
Details:
Title
Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment (LEBRA) Program – Annual Monitoring 2024,
Other title
Annual Monitoring 2024,
Creator
Burcher, Jonathon,
Editor
Huxley, Jessica,
Collection
E-Publications,
E-Books,
PublicationNT,
34/2024,
Water Resources Division Technical Report 34/2024,
Date
2024-11-26,
Location
Kati Thanda - Lake Eyre Basin,
Finke River,
Ellery Creek,
Abstract
The Kati Thanda - Lake Eyre Basin is one of the largest drainage systems in Australia, covering nearly one-sixth of the country's landmass across Queensland, South Australia, and the Northern Territory. Recognised for its ecological significance, the Basin's management is guided by the Lake Eyre Basin Intergovernmental Agreement, a collaborative effort initiated in 2000 to protect the region's aquatic ecosystems. This report presents findings from the autumn 2024 survey, conducted by Water Resource Division of the Northern Territory Government from April 30 to May 4. The Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment (LEBRA) program is a cross-border initiative that monitors the ecological health of key rivers using standardised aquatic survey methods.The survey period followed a relatively wet phase for the region, with three significant flow events occurring in the year preceding the survey. Water levels in the Finke River increased during the survey period. Measurements of water quality parameters, such as electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, and pH, revealed substantial variability across the sites, reflecting key differences between the sites. Salinity levels ranged greatly, from 0.2 mS/cm at Ellery Creek Big Hole to 5.3 mS/cm at Lower Two Mile. Stratification patterns were observed, with some sites exhibiting well-mixed conditions, while others displayed signs of salinity-driven stratification, mildly influencing DO availability and aquatic habitat suitability.Fish and macroinvertebrate sampling identified all known fish species in the Finke River system, with a total of 10,555 fish and 2,270 invertebrates captured. The highest species diversity was observed at Big Salty, where nine fish species were recorded, including endemic species like the Finke Hardyhead, and the Finke goby, a threatened species in the Northern Territory. Morphometric analysis indicated considerable variation in fish size classes across sites. Evidence of breeding activity was limited, and no signs of disease were observed.The 2024 survey provided valuable insights into the water quality and variations of fish communities on the Finke River. The observed biodiversity, including the presence of endemic species, highlights the ecological importance of these waterholes.,
Notes
Made available by via Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT),
Table of contents
Executive summary -- Introduction -- Study Area -- Methods -- Hydrology and water quality -- Aquatic fauna surveys -- Results and discussion -- Hydrology -- Water quality -- Water quality depth profiles -- Conclusions -- References,
Language
English,
Subject
water quality,
Lake Eyre Basin Intergovernmental Agreement,
Hydrology,
Fish and macroinvertebrate sampling,
Fish survey,
Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment (LEBRA) program,
Aquatic fauna surveys,
Publisher name
Northern Territory Government,
Place of publication
Palmerston (NT),
Series
34/2024,
Water Resources Division Technical Report 34/2024,